Study Questions Updated + Finals Week Office Hours

I have just now updated the study questions for the final exam by removing questions #10 and #11.

My office hours for finals week will be:

M 10:10 am - Noon
T 10:10 am - 11:00 am
W 10:10 am -11:00 am

Preparing for Wed 7 Mar

On Wed 7 Mar, we will finish our discussion of Taylor and dedicate some time toward a review that will help you prepare for the final exam. To this end, please be sure to download, read carefully, and think about the Final Exam Study questions that are now posted on PolyLearn.

If you have a response paper due, you must write on the Putnam article "Objectivity and the Science/Ethics Dinstinction."

Preparing for Mon 5 Mar

Because I missed class last Wednesday, on Mon 5 Mar we will cover the material for that class (see previous post). Having now read all your response papers, I will begin our discussions tomorrow by reviewing some important details of the difference between Kitcher and van Fraassen before moving our discussion to the views of Boyd and Taylor.

Preparing for Wed 29 Feb

On Wed 29 Feb, we will continue our discussion of Boyd's article. Pay particular attention to his notion of homeostatic consequentialism. We will also discuss the reading by Charles Taylor now posted on PolyLearn.

Before you start reading the Taylor article, please read the "Guide for Reading Taylor," which includes some reading questions and some background material.

Reminder: If you are writing a response paper this week, you must write on the Taylor article.

Preparing for Mon 27 Feb

On Mon 27 Feb we will discuss Kitcher's "Realism and Scientific Progress" (Chpt. 32). As some of you know, Kitcher's article is largely as response to van Fraassen's anti-realism.

We will then begin discussing foundational issues that explore the relationship between philosophy of science and ethics. We will begin by discussing Richard Boyd's "How to be a moral realist" (posted on PolyLearn). Please be sure to read this selection before class.

Preparing for Wed 22 Feb - Readings + Response Papers

On Wed 22 Feb we will not only discuss the van Fraassen article, on which you are all commenting, but we will also discuss two other articles (see below).

If you have a response paper due this week (check the recently posted "Guidelines for Response Papers II"), you should write a response to Chpt. 32 by Kitcher, "Realism and Scientific Progress."

Here's how to prepare for Wednesday's class:

1. Be sure you have posted a comment or two on the forum concerning Chpt. 31 by van Fraassen NO LATER THAN the end of 21 Feb 2012.
2. Read the first paragraph of Chpt. 30 (p. 317) by Putnam and beginning with "Let us return to the topic of realism..." (p. 319) to the end of the article. The main things you want to understand are (a) How does Putnam characterize scientific realism and (b) According to Putnam, what is the most compelling argument in favor of scientific realism?
3. Read Chpt. 32 by Kitcher. Try to understand (a) What are the main arguments Kitcher presents against van Fraassen's view? (b) Is Kitcher a realist or an anti-realist? How do you know?

Please remember that response papers are due at the beginning of class on Wednesday.

Preparing for Wed 22 Feb - Special Assignment!

For Wed 22 Feb, you are all required to complete the special assignment I have just posted on PolyLearn. It requires that you read Chpt. 31 and make meaningful contributions an on-line class discussion on a forum. I'll be moderating the discussion and look forward to your contributions!

Please visit the PolyLearn website for further instructions.
 
Note: You must complete this special assignment before Wed 22 Feb.